Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has announced the October 9 launch of "The Superbit Collection."

Superbit titles feature a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format.

The result is picture quality that provides outstanding detail which complements the performance of the latest progressive DVD video players.

The first batch of Superbit titles includes the Oscar winning masterpiece Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, along with Johnny Mnemonic, The Fifth Element, Air Force One, and Desperado.

These DVDs have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. The suggested list price of these discs is $27.96.

A Superbit 3-pack comprised of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Desperado and The Fifth Element will also be released. Suggested list price is $73.95.